“We would like to thank our members for their incredible support throughout this process,” said Doug Finnson, President of the TCRC. “We believe this is a fair contract that our members can feel good about ratifying. I am personally very satisfied with what we have negotiated.”

The new contract must first be ratified by the TCRC membership before it goes into effect.

“This is a positive result for our TCRC employees and their families, the 12,000-strong CP family, our customers and the entire Canadian economy,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “It is especially meaningful to achieve a four-year tentative agreement with our valued locomotive engineers and conductors, providing long-term stability for all parties involved. This is a significant step toward a renewed positive relationship growing forward together serving our customers and the Canadian economy.”

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) reached a last-minute three-year tentative agreement with CP on Tuesday evening before the 7 p.m. PST strike deadline.

Creel said he thanked the IBEW for their creativity in negotiations.

“We have come through a number of challenging years to become an operational leader,” Creel said. “I look forward to working with this union to become the employer of choice.”

The tentative agreement with the IBEW union members means that employees will stay on the job and VIA passenger service will not be affected.

“In the end we have reached a good deal for our membership and we’re looking forward to building on the momentum of the last few days,” said Steve Martin, the IBEW Senior General Chairman.

The TCRC announced the strike in a news release, citing that after workers at CP voted to reject the last contract offers, the company is still refusing to negotiate seriously.

In Revelstoke, union members had gathered at the parking lot outside the CP Rail office on Victoria Rd. off of 1st St.